What's Selling Where: Two Rolex Daytonas and a Minerva Chronograph

Today we are showing you three great chronographs, all currently for sale. There are two screw-down Rolex Daytonas and a waterproof Minerva. Of course, the Christie's Lesson One Daytona sale back in November sent Daytona interest and prices soaring to new heights. Although the Daytona is by no means a rare watch, finding good examples is getting increasingly difficult. Many are finding their way into permanent collections rather than being passed between dealers, but here we've got two killer watches. In addition, we found you a vintage steel Minerva chronograph with the legendary 13-20 CH movement that has been slightly modified and re-issued as the M13.21 in the new Montblanc Meisterstück Heritage Pulsograph.

Rolex Daytona ref. 6263 with Sigma Dial

The Rolex Daytona reference 6263 with black dial, white registers, screw-down pushers, and a black bezel, is about as classic a vintage Rolex as you'll find. John Mayer and Ben even discussed the 6263 in the very first Talking Watches. Andrew Shear of Sheartime is selling a spectacular one with a sigma dial, which means that at the bottom edge of the dial, you will see two small sigma symbols on either side of the "T SWISS MADE T." The sigma symbols mean that the dial has gold indices, in this case white gold. Collectors love the little details on Rolex watches, and having the sigma dial makes it more valuable and desirable.

This watch includes all the original paperwork and has never been polished. Just look at the nice thick lugs and the full kit this comes with. It is clear that the Rolex collector community is increasingly placing value and desirability on unpolished, original thick cases, and this 6263 from 1973 is in mint condition, which you just don't see too often with Daytonas. Most were bought to be worn, not stashed away in boxes unused, and they show it. This one is available for $42,500 at Sheartime. Full listing here.

Rolex Daytona ref. 6265 with Tropical Dial

Of course, a hot commodity among vintage Rolex collecting are watches that have gone "tropical," meaning the black color has faded to brown over the years. Matthew Bain is selling a circa 1970 reference 6265 Daytona, which has a steel bezel and screw-down pushers, with a dial that has turned beautifully and uniformly brown. You can see the condition of the case here, but the chocolate color of the dial really shows through in the picture up top. We saw this watch at the Miami Beach Antique Show back in January and it was one of the highlights of the weekend. The price is $95,000 and you can see the full listing here.

Minerva Chronograph in Steel with 13-20 CH Movement

Minerva is one of those underrated brands that is now getting more attention since both Panerai and Montblanc introduced watches based on historic Minerva chronograph movements at this year's SIHH. Minerva was bought by Montblanc back in 2004 and provided the mechanical jump-start to help Montblanc become a serious watch brand. At this year's SIHH, one of the stars was the Montblanc Meisterstück Heritage Pulsograph, which you can hear Ben and Frank Geelen talk about here.

While the Pulsograph is $34,500, you can buy vintage Minerva chronographs with the 13-20 CH movement, upon which the M13.21 is based, for a fraction of the price. This particular watch appears to have a lightly polished case, but otherwise is in fantastic condition. Some may not like the patina on the dial, but it is not uncommon to see that sort of wear with watches that have radium lume.

The movement looks to be in great condition and was apparently recently serviced. On the movement bridge, you can see an engraved KOS, which was an import mark meaning the watch was originally sent to the United States. I have heard parts for the 13-20 CH movements can be difficult to find, so it is important to buy these watches with movements in good, operating condition. This steel Minerva is available for $3,150 at Wannabuyawatch. To see it, click here.

On eBay, there is another beautiful steel Minerva with the 13-20 CH movement, but with blurry pictures of the caseback and movement. It is currently at under $1,500. To see it, click here.

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Friday March 3, 2012

HODINKEE is one of the most widely read wristwatch publications in the world. Launched in 2008 by then 25-year-old Benjamin Clymer, the site quickly gained notoriety for earnest looks at some of the industry’s most interesting, and occasionally forgotten timepieces.